Homelessness taskforce warns immigration resolution could cost Alachua County $11M

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - $11 million in federal money could be lost if Alachua County and City of Gainesville leaders pursue an immigration resolution, according to leaders with the TaskForce for Ending Homelessness.

In letters sent to a city and county staff member who are both on the Continuum of Care Leadership Council, a portion says, “...it is appropriate for the city/county to consider whether the adoption of such a resolution could have unintended consequences for continued and future state and federal funding opportunities that serve as a lifeline for thousands of Alachua County residents...”

Leaders with the advocacy group Gainesville Immigrant Neighbor Inclusion Initiative or GINI, say the proposed resolution was carefully crafted with concerns raised by the taskforce in mind, so as not to violate any state laws.

According to the taskforce, the money being pursued through the Department of Housing and Urban Development would be spent on homeless services, domestic violence prevention, and sexual assault programs serving Alachua County and in surrounding counties.

“Our focus really remains on expanding access to housing, activating a family emergency shelter, continuing to double down on the outreach efforts that we’ve implemented throughout the streets, supporting survivors of domestic violence, and making sure that resources are used most effectively in our community,” shared Jacob Torner, vice president of programs for the TaskForce on Ending Homelessness.

County spokesperson Mark Sexton tells TV20 county commissioners are scheduled to see and discuss a possible sample resolution at their August 11th meeting. He says the resolution will address immigration while also staying within the confines of the law.

City commissioners could discuss the issue at their next meeting on Thursday, July 16.

“This past year, the continuum of care partners and their performance really reflect the strength of our community’s collaborative approach,” Torner said.

TV20 reached out to city officials as well, who say they can provide a statement on Friday, July 10.

In separate but similar letters to the city and county staff member on the CoC Leadership Council, the taskforce says:

Hi,

If the County adopts a resolution consistent with what has been requested at recent public meetings regarding generally lawful immigration enforcement, I have concerns that HUD and the federal government could view Alachua County less favorably in the award of critical grants upon which our community relies.

The current HUD CoC NOFOs contain provisions requiring compliance with the Executive Order, Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders, which directs HUD to ensure that funds awarded to communities do not “facilitate the subsidization or promotion of illegal immigration, or abet so-called “sanctuary” policies that seek to shield illegal aliens from deportation."

Additionally, the NOFOs state, “Before making any awards, including renewal awards, HUD will evaluate each applicant’s likelihood of successfully carrying out the project. This assessment helps identify risks that may affect the advancement toward or the achievement of a project’s goals and objectives.” The NOFO further provides that, as part of this risk evaluation, HUD will look at “public sources like news reports.”

There are already a number of news reports on this topic, with future expected publications given the commission direction in this. We are currently pursuing more than $11 million in new and renewal HUD funding through this summer’s Continuum of Care competitions for homeless, domestic violence, and sexual assault programs serving Alachua County and the surrounding rural counties.

I believe it is appropriate for the County to consider whether the adoption of such a resolution could have unintended consequences for continued and future state and federal funding opportunities that serve as a lifeline for thousands of Alachua County residents who experience homelessness or need to flee domestic violence.

I just wanted to bring this to your attention. No follow-up is necessarily needed.

Thanks.

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